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She wrote Gregorin a firiven Darlin Perhaps she could arrange to keep Mattin away--soorin know that--in exchange for hi his ar She was using Rand’s proclaather and tie the monarchs to the White Tower They would co the seals But in the end, they would serve humankind in the Last Battle

A knock came at her door She looked up as Silviana peeked in The wo been carried in by pigeon

"Your expression is griun," she said "Watchtowers across the Blightborder go silent, one at a time Waves of Trollocs advance beneath clouds that boil black Kandor, Arafel and Saldaea are at war"

"Do they hold?" Egwene asked with a spike of fear

"Yes," Silviana said "But news is uncertain and piecemeal This letter--which is from an eyes-and-ears I trust--claims that an assault this wene took a deep breath "What of Tarwin’s Gap?"

"I don’t know"

"Find out Call Siuan in here She ht have more The Blue network is the , of course, but she would have her fingers in it

Silviana nodded curtly She didn’t say the obvious--that the Blue netas the Blue Ajah’s, not to be preempted by the Amyrlin Well, the Last Battle was at hand Some concessions had to be wene picked up her pen to finish her screed to Gregorin She was interrupted by another knock, this one much more hasty Silviana threw open the door a second later

"Mother," she said "They’re wene felt a stab of annoyance She calmly put down her pen and stood "Let us be to it, then"

She walked from her study, pace hurried In the Keeper’s antechamber, she passed a pair of Accepted--Nicola, who had just been raised, and Nissa She’d like them both raised to the shawl before the Last Battle They were young, but powerful, and every sister would be needed--even one who, like Nicola, had proved to have terrible judght the news about the Hall; the novices and Accepted were anored by the sisters For now, they rewene and Silviana hurried toward the Hall

"I can’t believe they would try this," Silviana said softly as they walked